Robert Hill HANNA was born on August 6, 1886, at Kilkeel, Ireland.

On November 7, 1914, he enlisted with the 29th Battalion (Vancouver), BC Regiment. CEF, where he served on the battle fields in France.

On June 24, 1916, Pte. HANNA suffered a shrapnel wound to his cheek and later returned to his unit on June 30, 1916.

Victoria Cross Citation:

“On August 21, 1917, at Hill 70 Lens, France, Company Sergeant-Major Hanna's company met with most severe enemy resistance at a heavily protected strong point, which had beaten off three assaults and all the officers of the company had become casualties. This warrant officer, under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, coolly collected and led a party against the strong point, rushed through the wire and personally killed four of the enemy, capturing the position and silencing the machine-gun. This courageous action was responsible for the capture of a most important tactical point.” (London Gazette, no.30372, 8 November 1917)

On December 5, 1917, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) HANNA was decorated for his courageous actions with the Victoria Cross by His Majesty King George V, at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

After the war, he returned to Mt. Lehman where he lived a humble life selling lumber and farming.

Robert HANNA died on June 16, 1967, in Mt. Lehman. He is buried at the Masonic Cemetery, Burnaby, BC.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.  It is the highest award within the Canadian military taking precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals.